Water-indicator for locomotive-tenders.



73. MEASURING AND TESTING. 1 firaffismans m.

M. P. SHIELDS. WATER INDICATOR FOR LOCOMOTIVE TENDERS.

APPLICATION FlL ED NOV. 7. I913- 7 {11 1,210,007, Patented Dec. 26,1916.

W/knesses 7s. MEASURING AND TESTING.

MICHAEL P. SHIELDS, OF QUEBEC, QUEBEC, CANADA.

WATER-INDICATOR FOR LOCOMOTIVE-TENEERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 26, 1916.

Application filed November 7, 1913. Serial No. 799,733.

inexpensive and reliable a paratus by means.

of which the engineer or reman will be able to determine accurately theamount of water in the tender tank without going back into the tenderand sounding to ascertain the level.

At the present time, no means is provided for determining the amount ofwater in a locomotive tender, and the only way in which the amount onhand may be known is to open the filling plug at the rear of the tenderand take soundings with any convenient instrument. This method isinconvenient and unreliable owing tothe irregular shape of the tank. Thepresent invention aims to overcome this disadvantage by providing a gagein the locomotive cab which may be operated at any time to indicate ingallons, cubic feet or other suitable measurement the actual amount ofwater in the tender tank.

The device consists of a small stand pipe in which the water stands atthe same level as in the tank. Means are provided for blowing the waterout of this stand pipe into a gage graduated to indicate from the amountof water delivered thereto the amount of water in the tank.

In the drawings which illustrate the invention:-Figure 1 is afragmentary side elevation of a locomotive and tender. Fig. 2 is a frontelevation of the gage. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the automatic outoff valve.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 5 designates the boiler ofa locomotive and 6 the tender tank, which is connected to the injectorsuction pipe 7 of the locomotive through the flexible pipe 8 in theusual manner. A tube 9 preferably of glass is mounted in a convenientposition on the boiler. A

stand pipe 10 of suitable diameter is pro-' vided having its lowerextremity substantially level with the bottom of the tender tank. Thisstand pipe is connected through an automatic cut-off valve 11 with theinjector pipe 7, so that it is in communication with the tank and waterwill stand at the same level in the pipe 10 as in the tank 6. The pipe10 projects upwardly inside the gage tube 9 and is turned downwardly atthe top thereof, as indicated at 12. An air vent 13 is provided at thetop of the gage tube and a drain cook 14 at the bottom.

The cut-ofi' valve 11 has three intersecting passages 15, 16 and 17therein connected respectively with the injector pipe 7, the stand pipe10 and an air pipe 18, leading from the air reservoir of the locomotive.Air flow through this pipe is controlled by the valve 19. At theintersection of the three passages, a ball 20 is located, the valvebeing disposed so that this ball will close either the passage 15 or 17but will not under ordinary circumstances close the passage 16 leadingto the stand pipe. The tube 9 is provided with a scale 21 reading ingallons, cubic feet or other suitable measure, said scale being arrangedin accordance with the capacity of the tank.

The operation of the device is extremely simple. Normally, the ball 20is in the position shown in Fig. 3, that is closing the passage 17leading to the air pipe 18, so that water will not enter this air pipe.The water thus has free passage from the injector pipe, through thepassages 15 and 16 of the valve into the stand pipe 10. When it isdesired to ascertain the amount of water in the tender tank, the valve19 is opened to admit air through the passage 17, thus forcing the ball20 across the valve to close the passage 15 and prevent entry of anyfurther water. The air seeking the only outlet, which is through thepassage 16 and pipe 10, blows all the water in the pipe 10 up into thegage tube 9. The downwardly turned end 12 of the pipe prevents the waterbeing blown out through the aperture 13 in the top of the gage, whichpermits the escape of air. The reading on the scale 21 indicated by thelevel of water in the tube 9 tells the amount of water in the tank. The

degrees of the scale will not necessarily be a depth of water equal tothe depth of water in the tank, means normally preventing the water fromthe tank from being forced into said gage tube, and pneumatic means forfogcing water from said pipe into the gage tn e.

2. A device of the character described comprising-a graduated tubehaving an air vent at the top thereof, a tank, a pipe adapted to containa column of water equal in height to the height of water in the tank,said pipe projecting into the graduated tube 1 and terminating adjacentthe upper portion thereof, means normally preventing the water from saidpipe being forced into the graduated tube, and an air pipe connected tosaid means whereby water from said pipe will be pneumatically forcedinto the graduated tube.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a tank, ofa water column pipe normally communicating with the tank and adapted tocontain a column of water equal in height to the depth of water in thetank, a graduated tube surrounding the upper portion of said watercolumn pipe, an air pipe connected to the bottom of said water columnpipe, and a valve connecting the water column pipe, air pipe and watersupply pipe adapted to close the air pipe against entry of Water duringthe flow of water from the water supply pipe to the water column pipeand to close communication between the water supply pipe and watercolumn pipe during air flow through the air pipe.

l. The combination with a tank of a gage tube and water connectionsbetween the tank and gage tube, a graduated scale on said gage tubespaced according to the capacity of the tank at different levels, awater column pipe leading from the water connection and adapted tocontain a column of water equal in height to the height of water in thetank, pneumatic means for forcing said column of water into the gagetube, and a valve operating automatically to sever communication betweenthe tank and water column pipe during said water forcing operation.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence oftwovwitnesses.

MICHAEL P. SHIELDS.

Witnesses:

JOHN B. FISHER, J. A. VERRAULT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patento,

Washington, D. 0.

